Nets’ three keys for Game 2

The Record

Nets' three keys to Game 2

1. Pierce and Garnett: Nobody is expecting Paul Pierce (left) and Kevin Garnett to carry the Nets to victory at age 36 and 37, respectively. But they must give the team more than they did in Tuesday's Game 1 loss. Pierce finished with eight points. Garnett, for the first time in 139 NBA postseason games, was held scoreless. Both have shown flashes of brilliance in this postseason, and the Nets need very badly for them to do just that to have a chance in this series.

2. Interior resistance: Deron Williams (below right) explained the Nets' Game 1 problem best: "Layups, layups, layups." The Heat got into the lane at will, outscoring the Nets, 52-28, on points in the paint. Making matters worse, the Heat shot only 16 free throws, meaning the Nets didn't make them pay a price once they got to the basket. "At least foul," Pierce said. "We can't just continue to watch them lay the ball up."

3. Offensive tweaks: The Nets shouldn't panic about their offense from Game 1, because there were positives. They shot 47.1 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from three-point range. But when the Heat went on their game-changing run in the third quarter, the Nets were too content to settle for jumpers. The Nets must find a way to penetrate and create easy baskets more often if they hope to steal Game 2 at American Airlines Arena.

Nets’ three keys for Game 2

The Record

Nets' three keys to Game 2

1. Pierce and Garnett: Nobody is expecting Paul Pierce (left) and Kevin Garnett to carry the Nets to victory at age 36 and 37, respectively. But they must give the team more than they did in Tuesday's Game 1 loss. Pierce finished with eight points. Garnett, for the first time in 139 NBA postseason games, was held scoreless. Both have shown flashes of brilliance in this postseason, and the Nets need very badly for them to do just that to have a chance in this series.

2. Interior resistance: Deron Williams (below right) explained the Nets' Game 1 problem best: "Layups, layups, layups." The Heat got into the lane at will, outscoring the Nets, 52-28, on points in the paint. Making matters worse, the Heat shot only 16 free throws, meaning the Nets didn't make them pay a price once they got to the basket. "At least foul," Pierce said. "We can't just continue to watch them lay the ball up."

3. Offensive tweaks: The Nets shouldn't panic about their offense from Game 1, because there were positives. They shot 47.1 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from three-point range. But when the Heat went on their game-changing run in the third quarter, the Nets were too content to settle for jumpers. The Nets must find a way to penetrate and create easy baskets more often if they hope to steal Game 2 at American Airlines Arena.